ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND COMPONENTS OF LABOUR RESOURCES: MACRO LEVEL

Purpose. The aim of the article is to determine the essential characteristics of labour resources and analyse their components under the conditions of current changes in the labour market in Ukraine. Methodology of research. A set of scientific methods was applied in the research process, in particular: system analysis and synthesis – to determine the essence of the “labour resources” category; system and structural, method of grouping – to determine the characteristics of the economically active and economically inactive population; statistical analysis and comparison – for analysing trends in the labour market; graphical – for visualizing research results; abstract and logical – for the formation of conclusions and research proposals. Findings. Scientific approaches to the interpretation of the concept of “labour resources” were summarized. The structure of labour resources at the macro level by component elements was given. Differences in the characteristics of the economically active and economically inactive population were determined. The key trends that occur with labour resources in the labour market of Ukraine were analysed, in particular: the growth of the unemployment rate, the imbalance of the workforce by regions and industries, high migration of the population, and the shortage of qualified personnel. The dynamics of the number of vacancies in the labour market of Ukraine were presented. The changes in the structure of vacancies by industries and regions were indicated. The largest number of vacancies is observed in the field of IT, trade and repair, construction, defence industry, agriculture, transport and logistics. The priority directions for improving the quality of labour resources and the efficiency of their use in the activities of business structures were formed. Originality. The disclosure of the essence of labour resources has further developed, which made it possible to identify social and economic stages that influenced the course of scientific research. The need to formulate measures to ensure the effective use of labour resources based on the identified trends in the labour market of Ukraine in the context of military conflict is substantiated. Practical value. The results of the conducted study of the characteristics of labour resources and the provided proposals can be used in the practice of business entities to adapt to trends in the labour market of Ukraine in the conditions of modern challenges. Key words: labour resources, labour market, macro level, unemployment, employment, vacancies, trends.